Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE:DAL) said it expects a $200 million impact to its fourth quarter pre-tax profit due to disruptions caused by the recent US government shutdown, translating to roughly $0.25 per share.
Earlier this week, JetBlue Airways similarly flagged a minor operational impact for the quarter related to the shutdown, combined with Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.
In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Delta said the schedule reductions linked to the shutdown were the main driver of the expected earnings hit.
The airline also adjusted its fourth quarter earnings forecast to $1.60 to $1.90 per share.
The 43-day shutdown, the longest in US history, ended last month and led to widespread flight cancellations as air traffic controllers and other federal staff worked without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration ordered reduced schedules at 40 major US airports to manage safety risks, prompting thousands of canceled flights across airlines.
Delta reported that customer bookings declined during the shutdown but have since returned to prior levels. The airline also noted that demand for travel in the December quarter remains healthy, with strong booking trends continuing into early 2026.
Investors welcomed the update, sending shares of Delta up almost 3% at about $67 on Wednesday afternoon. The stock is up almost 11% this year.